Printing-press and blanking-machine



5. came. PRINTING PRESS AND BLANKING MACHINE.

APPLICATIO Q FILED SEPT. 30. 1916- Patented July 5,1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l E. CR A-IG.

PRINTING PRESS AND BLANKING MACHINE.

APPLICATJON HLED SPT.30. 191'6. 1,383,531.- Patented July 5,J1921.;

I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. CRAIG.

PRINTING PRESS AND BLA NKING MACHINE.- APPLVICATION FILEDSEPT, 30, 19.16-

1,383,531 Patented July 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. Blanking- UNITED ,srAT Es :IP-AITEFNT OFFICE.

v.:anwAnn (inst s, or :s'r.

To all whomjit mag concern.

Be it known that I, EDWARD C AIG, a citizen of the llnited States of America, and resident of St. Joseph, Berrien county, Michigan, useful Im rovement in Printing-Presses'and lachines, of which thefollowing is a specification. j

My invention relatesto feed-mechanism in general, but more-particularly to mechanism of this kind for feeding sheet material from printing press to a blanking press, so that the required printing is done before the blank is cut from the traveling sheet.

Generally stated, the object of my inventionis to provide an improved feed-mecha nism which will accurately feed'the sheet material, periodically or. intermittently, and which can be adjusted to vary the extent of the feeding motion. i i. It is also an object tojprovide certain details and features of construction and combinations tending to increase the general efficiency and desirabilityvof a feed mechanism of this particular character. To the foregoing'and other useful ends,

" my invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed. I

In theaccompanying drawings Flgur'e 1 is a side elevation of a machine for printing and blanking sheet material, having feed-mechanism for feeding the sheet material from the printing press to the blanking press, involving the principles l l of my invention. 7

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail sectional View of a portion of said feed-mechanism, this figure being a section on line 22 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a .plan of the mechanism shown.

in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlargg d. detail horizontal sec- 1g. 2. Fig. 5 is a-section on line 5+5 in Fig. 3.

As thusillustrated-{the machine comprises a printing press A, of any suitable character, and ;a blanking press B, of any suitable, known or approved construction. The two presses are preferably mounted'on a base C, in such position that the sheet material may be fed from the printing roll a of the printing press to the blanking press. Thus the sheet material is operated upon by the printing press before it reaches'the blank-' in 7 press, and before the blanks are cut.

The feed-mechanism for feedlng the sheet material from the printing press to the Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed September so, 1916.

rRiN'rING-rmsss AND BLANK G-MAoHmE 1 press is as follows A horizontal frame incloses the printing press and is provldedwith transverse bars 1 and. 2 dis;

"posed in front and rear of said printing har e invented acertam' new and 1 press. Square shafts 3 and 4; extend transversely of said frame, adjacent said bars, and are each provided with a plurality of forwardly extending arms 5 having hammer-heads 6 to bear downupon the sheet material, thus clamping the latter tightly against said bars 1 and 2, when it is desired to hold the sheet stationary forthe blanking operation. These shafts are provided with short vertical arms 7, both above and below, which are connected from one shaft to the other through the medium of the upper and lower rods Sand 9, whereby when one shaft is rocked the other shaft will also be rocked in unison therewith. It will be understood that the end portions of these shafts are made round to turn in suitable bearings secured to the frame D,.wherebyeach shaft extends wardly extending arm 11 which is provided 1 with a roller -12 and is mounted to turn about a horizontal transverse axis. Between the -shaf-ti and the blanking press B, the upper andlower shafts E andF are mounted to turn in suitable bearings onthe frame D, being arranged, transversely of the machine. -The upper shaft E is provided with a-plurality of feed-disks c of suitable thick-' nessto-bear upon the upper surface of the sheet material, and which are spaced apa t in any suitable manner. The lower shaft F is provided with larger feed-disks f which bear -against the end surface of the" sheet material, directly below the disks e, so that,

in effect cooperating feed rolls are provided -tofeecl the sheet material forward, The

disks f are, however, each preferably composed of'two sections, the section 13 bem disk-like in form and secured to the hub 1 which is keyed to the shaft F in any suitable manner. The section 15 is also disklike in shape, but is secured to the gearwheel 16 which is loosely mounted on the hub-portion 17 and held thereon the screw-threaded ring 18, whereby the section is free to rotate relative to the section 13,

the two sections being held flatwise together.

The-section 13 of each lower feed-disk 1s .provided with a round opening 19 for the shaft 20, which latter extends parallel with the shaft F, but the section 15"is provided withcurved slots 2l through which the shaft betweenthe peripheral engaging portions 23 a '20 extends. Thus the shaft 20 has a fixed relation to the section 13, being adapted. to

rotatein the openings 19, but the section 15 can turn relative to said shaft, this movenient being limited by the length of the slots '21 as the ends of this slot will e'ngagesaid shaft when the section 15 is turned in either I direction.

The shaft 20 is provided with pinions 22 for engaging the gear-wheel 16, and for thereby'rotati'ng the 1attcr,'thus relatively rotating the two sections of'each feeddisk. This relative rotation, it will be seen, is for the purpose of changing the relation of the section 15 and 241- of the section 13, thus in effect lengthening or shortening the extent of contact which each feed-disk has with the under side of ,the sheet material.

These portions 23 and 2 1 are formed on a greater diameter than the remaining portionsof the periphery of the feed-disk, so

' that-the feedgng motion of the sheet mate- -rial commences when the portion 24: engages the under side of the sheet. The feeding motion continues until the portion'23 passes out of engagement with the under side of the sheet, so that the feeding'motion continues for only a fraction of the rotation of the feed-disks; By rotating the shaft 20,

the extent of feed canbe varied to suit the requ rements and to insure accuracy in the general operation of the entire machine.

disk, whereby the disk surface has a cam for rocking the shaft 4, thus'causing the hammer-heads- 6 to move up and down. The construction is such, and the operation of the dliferentparts is so timed, that the hammer-heads 6 press down on the sheet material at the moment when the under surface of the sheet is disengaged by the portions 23 of the feed-disks, so that the sheet is positively held stationary as soon as the sheet is disengaged by the feed-mechanism. This prevents over-feeding of the sheet material,.' and ln'sures accuracy in the operation of the machine. While the sheet is being fed forward, the printing press is operating on the sheet. Any suitable means canbe employed- This is for operating the printing press. preferably accomplished by a train of gears 25, 26, 27,- 28 and 29,,the latter having its axis coincident with. the axis of the lower roll 'ofthe printing press, and the gear 25 being mounted on the shaft F and keyed thereto. These gear-wheels are so proportioned that the rolls of the printing .press operate at the required speed to feed the sheet material. V The operation of the lows: The feed-d-isks' f are operated at a constantspeed by the gearing, but during the operation of the blankingpr'ess B the sheet material is held stationary by the hammerlieads 6, and at this time the disks f are not in enga ement with the under side of the sheet. While the sheet is thus-standing still, the printing press, of course, is, by reason of any suitable Orwell-known provision for that'purpose, not in operative relation tov the sheet, and is not printing thereon. As soon as the blanking, press B has cut out a machine "is as folblank, the hammer-heads 6 are automatically lifted, and the feed-disks f engage the un der surface of the 'sheet, thus again feeding the latter'forward, at which time the printing press is printing on the sheet ma-terial. During this operation of the printing press A, the blanking press Bis not operating on the sheet material;

The blanking press B has a 1oweroperat ing shaft Z; which is connected by the gears 30, 31 and 32 with the gear 25 on the shaft F, whereby the latter is the. medium of power-transmitting connection between the blanking press and the printing press. The shaft Z) is rotated by the large gear-wheel 33 which is keyed thereon and which engages a pinion 34 on the drive-shaft 35, the latter having a belt-pulley 36 for operating the machine.

The idlers 26 and 27 are mounted on the I ing from the blanking press, and the feedme chanism' is operated by one of the intermediate gears. v v

The printing press A has its roll a' provided with the ordinary rubber blanket, wrapped around the surface of the roll' for a portion of'the circumference thereon, so that the uncovered surface of the roll is out of contact with the sheet material. In this theportions 23 and 24 of the feed-disks are.

in engagement with the under surface of the sheet material. Consequently, when the feedrolls or disks 6 and 7 release the sheet, the

rolls ofthe printing press simultaneously do me same thing, and it is at this time that the hammer-heads 6 instantly'clamp the sheet to the table of the machine,' so that the momentum will not carry the sheet forward.

The two rolls H and I of the printing press imprint different colors on the printing sur face of the roll a, in the-usual and wellknown manner, thereby to produce the twocolor effect. A printing press of this kind involves, therefore, first, a printing operation on the surface of theiroll a, and a transferring of the impressions from this roll to the upper surface of the sheet material, so that the two-color effect is produced without the necessity of running. the sheet through the press -more than once, ,or

through more than one press. As shown,

. is ordinarily known 'as an offset press (thecolors being printed on the printing roll and of the printing press.

the diameter of the roll a is substantially the same as the diameter of the feed-disks or rolls f, so that the extent of contactof the roll a with they upper side of thepaper always the same as theextent of. contact of said disks with the under-side of the sheet, whereby the feed-mechanism comprisingthe rollse and f will always start to feedthe sheet forward at the exact instant that-the printing press commences to feed the sheet forward. Also, the feed-me'chanism will. then always release the sheet at the same .timethatthe latter is released by the rolls- The printlng press shown is a well known form, it being what then offset from this roll to the surface of the sheet material), but I do not limit my self to any particular construction, and any suitable or desiredform of press'may be used which will serve the purpose.

It'will be seen,' therefore, thatin'onecase the roll f is used as a feed roll,.co6perating with the upper rolls 6 for this purpose, whereas in another instance a roll 1 forms a cam for.engaging the roller 12 on the arm 11 and controls the two rock shafts 4 upon which are mounted the arms 5 that carry the means 6 and 10 for engaging the sheet. In.

either case, however, the roll islformed a plurality of sections arranged flatwise together on the shaft F, each section'having an extended edge portion, and "these extended edge portions combining to form a peripheral elevation on the roll, theextent of which elevation is variable circumferentially of the roll by relativeadjustment-of the sections, in the manner explained. In one case this peripheral elevation serves as a cam for variably controlling the arm 11, and in the other case it serves in cooperation vlrlith the feed rolls 6 to variably feedv the' s eet.

What I'claim as my invention is 1. A machine having means for operating upon and for feeding sheet material, comprislng a plurality of rotary feeding memtanoe;

bers to engage the surface of the sheet material, each member comprising relatively adjustable sections to vary the length of the contact with the sheet material, thereby tov cause the sheet to move forward either a greater or ales'ser distance, a shaft on which said members are spaced apart,- and mechanism to simultaneously adjust all of said members 2. The structure specified'in claim 1, said mechanism comprising a gear-wheel secured to one section of each member, a shaft, and a pinion on said shaft to engage each gearwheel.

3. The structure specified in claim 1, one

section of each member having a curved slot, the other sect on having a round opening, sald mechanism comprising a shaft extend-' ing through: said round opening, a gear- .wheel rigid with eachsectionhaving the slot, and a inion on said shaft to engage each gear-w eel.

. 4. The structure specified in claim 1, each section having a peripheral'engaging portion extending for less than the circumference of said rotary member, one engaging portion following the other, with the front end of one portion and the rear end of the other portion a distance apart to give the required extent of feed-movement.

5. The structure specified in claim 1, each section having a peripheral engaging portion extending for less than the circumference-of said rotary member, one engagingportion following the other, with the front end of one portion andthe rear end of th other portion a distance apart to give t.

required extent of feed-movement, and said mechanism servlng to rotate the sections sections of each member to vary the distance between the front end of the engaging portion of one section and the rear end of the engaging portion of the other section of each member.

7 A machine having means for operating upon and for feeding sheet material, comprising supports for the sheet material, rock sha-fts above said supports, hammerheads carried by said rock-shafts to bear down upon the sheet material, connections between the two shafts to cause said hammer-heads to operate in unison, feed mechanism comprising rotary'membersto engage the sheet material and feed the same forward, said'members having intermittent engagement with the sheet, and means operated by said mechanismto positively lift said hammer-heads simultaneously with the commencement of the forward feeding mo- .tion of the sheet. I

8. The structure specified inclaim 7, feed shaft for. said rotary members, a printingpress arranged 'to operate on the sheet material at a point between the two rockshafts, meansto operate said feed shaft, and

a power-transmitting connection between the feed shaft and'the printing press. c

9. The structure specified -in claim "1', a printing press arranged to operate on said sheet at apoint between the two rock-shafts,

a feed shaft forsaid rotary members, means to continuously operate said feed shaft, and a continuously operating power-transmitting connectionbetween said fee-l shaft-and the printing, press.

\ sheet material, a device tohold the sheet material stationary during the ino erative portionof the rotation of said mem er,'and means voperated by one of said members. to control said device. I i

11. The structure specified inclaim 10,

each member comprising two relatively movable sections, each section carrying a part of said engaging portion, so that relative movement between the two sections causes a lengthenin "or shortening of said portion, thereby to l engthen or shorten the feeding movement, and causing a corresponding variation in the operation of said device.

12. The structure specified in claim 10, said device including a hammer-head to bearupon the sheet, andsaid means comprising an arm provided with a roller to engage the periphery of saidone member.

13. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of mechanism for feeding a sheet of material horizontally, a rock shaft extending transversely above the path of travel of. the sheet, an arm extending horijzontally from said rock shaft, means'on said arm to engage the sheet, thereby'tohold the sheet stationary, a rotary cam,and aconnection vbetweensaid cam-and said rock shaft,- so-that the sheet released by the raising of saidfarm when the shaft is rocked by said cam. lh'A structure asspecified in claim 13, said arm extending in the-direction of travel of-the sheet, and said means for engaging the sheet comprising a vertically disposed icregv having its lower end provided with a 15.-A structure as specified; in claim 13, in'combination with another rock shaft disposed adistance from said first mentioned rock shaft, a printing press between the two rock shafts, an arm mounted on the second rock shaftqand provided with means to engage the sheet,'and a connection between the two rock shafts, whereby both rock shafts are oscillated inunison by said cam. '16. In a machine of the class described,

the combination of a plurality of cam sections disposed -fiatwise together, a shaft uponwhich the sections are mounted to rotate in unison, so that in effect the sections form a single cam, a pinion mounted on one section to rotate about an axis parallel with said shaft, gear teeth rigid with another.

section and arranged to engage. said pinion,

means for rotating said pinion to change v the relation between the sections of the cam, and means for engaging'said cam and subject to variable operation thereby in accordance with the adjustment thereof.

17. In-a machine of the class described, the combination of a-pluralit'yof feed roll sections disposed fiatwise together, a shaft on which the sections are'mounted to rotatev in unison, so that the sections constitute a single feed roll, each section having an extended edge for aportion of its circumference, a pinion mounted on one section, gear,

teeth rigid with another section to :engage said pinion to change the relation between the different'sections,-so that the extended edges of'the sections will combine to form a peripheral elevation of greater'or less extent circumferentially of the feed roll,'and

means coeperatin with said peripheral ele-- vation to feed a s eet ofmaterial.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 12th day of September, 1916. EDWARD CRAIG. 

